In today's NYTimes, L. Paul Bremer explained in clear prose, with unmistakable and justifiable anger, the process he took for dismissing the Iraqi army.
On May 9, two weeks before the decision was made, I sent a draft order based on these discussions to Mr. Rumsfeld, copied to Gen. Tommy Franks, head of the Central Command, and other senior defense officials. A copy went to Gen. Richard B. Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and to the commander of the coalition forces in Iraq.
All had ample opportunity to comment on this and subsequent drafts of the order before it was issued on May 23. Defense Department civilian leaders and military staffs provided only minor suggested revisions.
On May 22, I briefed the president at a National Security Council meeting attended by Condoleezza Rice, then the national security adviser; Deputy Secretary of State Richard L. Armitage; Secretary Rumsfeld; and General Myers. No one raised concerns or objections.
It is clear that the Bush team chose to make him take the blame for a disastrous decision in which all the honchos (except for Colin Powell) were fully complicit.
As much as one wished to despise L. Paul Bremer for his ineptitude, it is clear from this letter (which probably has a paper trail to support it) that those at the very top were at fault. I think we will continue to see that all the rutted roads of these past 8 years have led directly to the White House.
The fish stinks from the head.